ANXIETY: Is More than just MENTAL & EMOTIONAL Issues!

Did you know ANXIETY can often be linked to underlying physical issues you might not be aware of?

Many individuals suffering from anxiety struggle to find relief, even after years of psychological therapy or trauma release treatments.

Why techniques like COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY or MEDITATION don't always work?

While the above mentioned techniques can help calm the mind temporarily, they don’t address the physical drivers of anxiety.  If the underlying cause of anxiety is glucose dysregulation, gut imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies, no amount of mental techniques will fully resolve the anxiety.  Even though, the mind may be calm, the body’s imbalances continue driving the anxiety.

🧐 Blood Glucose Dysregulation Mimics the Symptoms of Anxiety

When our blood sugar drops too low, also known as "hypoglycemia", our body perceive this as a threat and our nervous system reacts by releasing

stress hormones, mainly adrenaline and cortisol. This is an emergency "survival" response that causes the body to release glycogen from the liver to normalise blood glucose levels. Adrenaline and cortisol trigger the classic symptoms of anxiety; rapid heartbeat, trembling, sweating, irritability or mood swings, dizziness or lightheadedness and feelings of panic or unease. To the brain, this is experienced as an anxiety attack, even though the anxiety is not the result of mental or emotional issues.

When we consume high-sugar or high-carb foods, our blood glucose spikes quickly. In response, the pancreas releases insulin to bring blood sugar levels down. If too much insulin is released, it can cause a sudden crash in blood sugar, leading to the anxiety-like symptoms mentioned above.

This can create a rollercoaster effect of energy highs and lows throughout the day, which can cause emotional fluctuations and mental instability.

Stable blood sugar is essential for balanced Brain function. Fluctuations in blood glucose levels can negatively affect the neurotransmitters serotonin and GABA, needed to calm the nervous system and regulate mood.

Chronic blood sugar imbalances also stresses the adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing stress hormones. Over time, this can lead to adrenal insufficiency and dysregulation of the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), further contributing to symptoms of chronic anxiety.

Its important to note that anxiety can also be driven by hormonal imbalances, parasite infections, microbiome dysbiosis, nutrient deficiencies and much more.

How to UNCOVER what's really driving your ANXIETY?

To reveal what's underneath your anxiety, requires a comprehensive health assessment. As a graduate Naturopathic Practitioner, this is my field of expertise. In a nutshell, I play the role of a health detective solving mystery cases!🧐

WHAT to DO next?

Your first step is to book your first consultation ! Message me using the link www.gracerivas.com/contact

Looking forward to guide, support, and empower your health journey!

Grace Rivas BHSc ND

Graduate, Australian College of Natural Medicine

Member, Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia